USA > Maine > A history of the Baptists in Maine; together with brief notices of societies and institutions, and a dictionary of the labors of each minister > Part 24
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The State Convention sent a missionary to their assist- ance, Rev. Isaac S. Smith, and God went with him. He
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313
CHURCH IN WINDSOR-NEW CASTLE.
was followed by brethren E. Going and A. Wilson. Sixty- one were baptized and added to the church. Since that memorable period, the church has prospered under the la- bors of several pastors, who have officiated in the church successively as follows : T. B. Ripley, from 1828 to 1834 ; T. Curtis, from 1834 to 1837; A. Wilson, of Portland, from 1838 to 1841 ; and J. Chaplin, their present pastor, since 1842. This church has granted licenses to nine of its members. Its present number is two hundred and forty- three .*
WINDSOR. This town was first called Malta, next Ger- ry, and then Windsor. In 1819, a church of fifteen mem- bers was gathered here by the name of Malta. In 1821 it disappears from the records of the Association ; but in 1829 a second church in Malta appeared, with twenty-six mem- bers. Eld. E. Trask was their pastor from 1830, about three years. They have since generally had stated preach- ing a portion of the time. They have eighty-nine members.f
NEW CASTLE AND ALNA. New Castle was among the early settlements in the Pemaquid country. A fort was erected on a neck of land on the Sheepscot river, but it was destroyed by the Indians, with all the buildings in the settlement, in 1680 .¿ It was not recommenced until about 1750. Soon after this last beginning, the Presbyterians, by the direction of the 'Boston Presbytery,' established a missionary here. After a series of difficulties, the Presby- terians were displaced by the Congregationalists about the year 1776, under the pastorate of a Mr. Whiting.§
The first sermon preached here by a Baptist, was by Eld. Case, in 1784, while on his first journey to Thomas- ton, which was followed by occasional preaching by him and others. A few became Baptists and united with the
*Com. by M. Giddings, Ch. Clk. +Min. L. and W. Asso. #Sullivan, p. 165. §Green. Eccl, sk. p. 100, &c.
314
CHURCH IN WALDO.
church in Thomaston, as early as 1786 ;* but afterwards united with the Baptists in Nobleboro'. For many years they were but little known, and gained but a limited influ- ence in town, while the sentiments of Pedo-baptism was gaining a dominant power over the people. It was not till 1820, that it was deemed expedient to organize a church on the New Castle side of the river, and even then there were but twelve persons to unite in the Baptist Articles. They commenced however from a regard to duty, and with faith in God. For many years the purity of their love and the strength of their faith were tested by continuous trials and disadvantages. The church remained nearly station- ary till 1831, when God, by a blessing upon the labors of Gardner Walker, a licentiate, revived his work in New Castle and Alna, and made additions to their number. This was the beginning of a day of prosperity. From 1834 to 1836, Eld. E. R. Warren was their pastor. In 1842, a glorious era in the history of this church commenced. At a quarterly meeting held with this church in the autumn of this year, the Lord commenced a most interesting revival, which extended into 1843 -- added by baptism one hundred and fifty-nine to the church, and resulted, in the early stage of the work, in the settlement of Eld. William Day as pastor, who was eminently successful in promoting this work. This connexion still continues, and the church is prospering, with two hundred and twenty-one members.+
WALDO. A church of twelve members was organized here in 1820. Having no meeting house, they have been driven from place to place, and when ejected from school houses, their own dwellings have been their bethels. They have not had preaching more than one-fourth of the time from their organization. It has been aided by the untiring efforts of its worthy deacon, N. Gurney. By these means,
*Eld. Case's Journal. tMin. L. A.
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CHURCH IN DOVER.
under God, it has sustained visibility, and exerted a favor- able influence on society. Its present number is thirty .*
DOVER. The forests in Dover began to yield to the early settlers in 1803. It was long however, before the inconveniences of a new country were overcome, and resi- dence was gained here with comparative ease. The first pious persons in town were emigrants from distant churches. For many years there was no religious society in the settle- ment, and the few pious in their private and scattered posi- tions, sighed for gospel privileges. The number of Baptists was small, and yet seeing their neighbors, and their own children in this wilderness, becoming more and more care- less of their morality, as well as of their spiritual interests, they began to feel the necessity of some united and gospel effort for their benefit.
Six of these pious Baptists entered the work, requested a council, and were embodied into a church June 20,1818. This was the first religious society in town. Soon, additions were made to them by baptism, the fruits of the ' good seed' sown by the occasional missionary, who had previously penetrated this almost pathless desert. The first three years constituted a period of trials and blessings. Their meetings were frequently disturbed, and sometimes entirely broken up by Universalists and rejected Free-will Baptists. They however persevered and made some advancement.
In 1821, Eld. N. Robinson, of Cherryfield, visited them, and by their request became their pastor in 1822, which office he sustained with usefulness till 1834. During this period, the church was blessed with several refreshing seasons. They then employed, (1834,) Eld. E. Huntting, one -half the time for several months, and in 1835, Eld. J F. Page became their pastor. Since that time they have
*Min. L. and W. Asso.
316
CHURCH IN WISCASSET-CORINTH.
built a convenient house for worship. They have eighty- five members .*
WISCASSET. An attempt to gain a settlement in 1661, on the site where now stands the pleasant village of Wiscas- set, was prevented by the Indians; so that no permanent beginning was made there till about 1730.+ The religious views of the first settlers were Episcopalian and Congrega- tional. Each sect had organized a church in the ancient Pownalborough, which included Wiscasset, Alna and Dres- den, previous to 1773.1 The latter has since become most numerous.
As late as 1821, there were not more than two or three Baptists professors in the place. In the early part of that year, Rev. A. Wilson began to preach to the people, and the Lord blessed the word. In the course of that year eighteen were baptized, and in 1822, a church was organ- ized. The same year a convenient meeting-house was raised and finished. Mr. W. left in the early part of 1824 ; since that time they have been aided by W. Morse, W. Glover, A. Wood, P. Pilsbury, and J. C. Morrill. They are still a feeble church and embarrassed with serious trials. CORINTH. Among the first settlers of Corinth, there were a few Baptist professors.j Eld. Case was among them in 1821. They were collected into a church in 1822, by the efforts of Eld. S. Dexter, who became its pastor the same year. The original members were eighteen. Elder D. continued pastor till feeble health caused his resignation in 1832. During his ministry, the church rose gradually, increasing in numbers and strength. In 1830, they com- pleted a house for worship, furnished with a bell. During the summer of '33, their pulpit was supplied by Eld. W. C. Rider, to the edification of the church.
*Eld. N. Robinson's Com. and Min. L. and P. Asso. +Mass. Hist. Coll- vol. 7, p. 163, cit. by Greenleaf. #Eld. Case's Jour.
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CHURCH IN WALDOBORO'-ALBION.
Their next pastor was Eld. R. C. Spaulding. He was indefatigable in his exertions, and God honored him and the church with a signal success. The first year of his charge, a revival began-the weak things were strength- ened, the Sabbath School furnished with a library of 300 volumes, a maternal society formed, and temperance ad- vanced. During the charge of Mr. Spaulding to 1843, one hundred and sixteen were added to the church. Dea. John Huntting, one of its original members, has been a distin- guished blessing to this people. They are benevolent, active, and a reading people. Their present number is one hundred and fifty-five .*
WALDOBOROUGH. Through the influence of Baptists in Warren, east of Waldoborough, and in Noblebo- rough, on the west, they gradually increased in that town. The prevailing religious views were from an early period Congregational. In 1824, a Baptist church was constituted, of thirteen members.t In 1826, Elder Samuel Chisam became pastor, and the church began to move forward. In 1834, they received a small ac- cession. In 1837, Joseph Wilson became pastor, and from that time to the present the church has witnessed almost one continual revival. Few churches have been more signally blessed than this, during the charge of Mr. Wilson. Its numbers have been increased by nearly two hundred. Their outward condition is pros- perous. They now exert their share of religious influ- ence in town. They have two hundred and sixteen members.
ALBION. Baptists in Albion began to multiply with the settlement of the town, and began to unite with the several churches in China, as was most convenient. With these churches they continued to operate till 1824,
*Min. P. Asso. tLin. Asso. Records.
318
CHURCH IN ATKINSON.
when their own convenience and the interests of their cause in Albion, required their united efforts there. They therefore took their leave of these churches, and were embodied in gospel order. Their number was twenty-four, with J. Lewis, from the third church in China, as their pastor. In 1826, Nathan Thomas, one of its original members, was ordained pastor. In 1830, a revival commenced. Nathaniel Copeland was set apart by ordination as an evangelist in the church, whose labors were united with their pastor. In the winter of 1831, the revival became general and glorious, and added ninety-three to the church by baptism. This was a season still in grateful remembrance by these Baptists. It was a most signal display of Divine mercy in their favor. In 1832, Mr. Copeland was pastor. In 1833, Elder D. Stevens became a member, and supplied the church with preaching. He was made pastor, 1834. In 1839, Elder Copeland again received the pastoral care, preaching with them half the time. His connexion continued to 1842, since which time Elder I. S. Smith has had the pastoral care, bestowing one half of his labor for their benefit. During this rapid succession of ministers, the church has had some trials, but has nev- ertheless advanced in influence, though its numbers have diminished. In 1839, it had one hundred mem- bers; in 1843, its number was seventy-four .*
ATKINSON AND MILTON. The first settlers in these towns had but few gospel privileges. In 1824, Jonathan F. Page settled in the east part of Atkinson. In a neighborhood of twelve families, there was but one pious person. In the summer of that year a revival commenced, by the private exertions of Mr. Page. This work continued about a year, and blessed the
*Min. L. and W. Asso.
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319
THIRD CHURCH IN JEFFERSON-SEARSMONT.
whole settlement with its influence. It also extended into Milton, and in 1825, a church was organized of members from both towns, and in September numbered twenty-three .* In 1829, Elder W. Oaks supplied them with preaching a part of the time. In 1830, Mr. Page, who had been so useful to them as a private christian and as a licensed preacher, was ordained in this church as an evangelist, and has since preached a part of the time, much to their benefit. A revival was experienced in 1833, under his ministry. Though blessed with re- freshing seasons, and some increase, they have never possessed the ability to provide a house of worship, or to settle a pastor. They have thirty-four members. f
THIRD JEFFERSON. A third church in Jefferson was gathered in 1824. Their original number was twenty- two. Elder William Burbank, ordained to the gospel ministry by the second church, became their pastor, and continued in their service till 1842. It has been favored with several revivals. Elder Enos Trask was once a worthy deacon in this church, and aided its pro- gress.Į In 1843, Elder T. Goldthwait became pastor, and it was increased by the fruits of another revival. It now numbers seventy-eight members.§
SEARSMONT. In 1827, a church was organized at 'Hazelton's Mills,' in Searsmont, with thirteen mem- bers. In 1839, C. G. Porter, a licentiate from the church in Calais, commenced preaching with this then almost lost church, one half of the time. In 1840, he was ordained in the church as an evangelist. In 1842, a revival attended his labors and increased its members, and strengthened its hopes. To the active and pious exertions of the late Bailey Moore, the church owes
*Min. L. A. 1825. tEld. J. F. Page's Com. #Eld. Wm. Burbank's Com. § Min. of D. Asso.
320
THIRD WHITEFIELD-NORTH WHITEFIELD.
much of its prosperity. In 1843, it had forty-seven members, without a pastor .*
THIRD WHITEFIELD. This church was constituted in 1828, mostly of members dismissed from the then second church. In 1829, it had twenty-four members. Jesse Crowell was its first deacon. Elder William Pool, one of its original members, was ordained its first pastor, April, 1830, and was its principal promoter, till 1842. For several years this church enjoyed great prosperity, as the results of general revivals. Then followed a season of drought and declension, with a loss of mem- bers. But the last two or three years have been more fruitful. Since the old and first church in Whitefield was lost, this church has been denominated the second; the second having taken the place of the first in the Associational catalogue. Their present number is eighty-one, without a pastor.t
NORTH WHITEFIELD. This is the fourth church gath- ered in Whitefield. Its original members were mostly from the third, now called the second church, and in Sept. 1832, it had twenty-nine members. William Glidden was their deacon, and in 1834 it received some addition by a revival, but the next year was nearly reduced to its origi- nal number, by means of dismissions to form a church in Patricktown Plantation. In 1840 it received some acces- sion of members. A committee from the Association visit- ed these brethren in 1841, who found them in a feeble state, having had no preaching for many years, and possess- ing but little energy-their number was reduced to four- teen.Į
THIRD THOMASTON. In 1832 an extensive revival was enjoyed by the first church in Thomaston, under the labors of Elder Kalloch, which extended its converting power into *Eld.C. G. Porter's Com. and Min. W. A. tMin. L. and D. A. Min. L. A.
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THIRD CHURCH IN THOMASTON.
the ' Shore Village.' The distance from this village to the places of worship in the older churches, dictated the organ- ization of this third church. ` The first meeting these brethren held in separate capacity, was in January, 1833, and in February the church was organized. Elder Kal- loch was at once invited to become their pastor. But after six months consideration of the matter, he declined. From a strong attachment to him who had been the honored in- strument in the conversion of many of their souls to God, they again renewed their request. The call was too ur- gent to be again rejected. He accepted, and entered the charge, Feb. 1834. The church for one year was en- larged by a gradual increase. In 1835, as the rich har- vest of a series of special meetings, and of a solemn and interesting work of several months, a large addition was made, mostly of heads of families. This revival added ability and influence, as well as members. They were now able to build three-fourths of a house of worship, the Con- gregationalists building the other fourth.
In 1838, another general revival was witnessed, as the fruit of a discussion on the subject of gospel 'communion.' This was somewhat singular, and seldom so happens, but God honors his own gospel. ' At first,' says Elder K., ' many of the church feared, if not opposed, a controversy upon this subject,' between their pastor and the Congrega- tional minister, Mr. Fessenden. 'But they were led to prayer and faith, and the Spirit of the Lord came down, and scores were converted to God.' In 1838 the church sold their proportion of the old house, and erected a neat and convenient house for themselves. But these seasons of mercy were like ' the few drops before the more plente- ous shower,' compared to the revival enjoyed in 1842 and 1843, in which nearly two hundred were added by bap- tism. Truly this is a highly favored branch of Zion. It has
322
RICHMOND-PATRICKTOWN PLANTATION.
prospered with the flourishing village in which it is situa- ted. Mr. K. is still their useful pastor, and the church numbers four hundred, who exert a powerful influence in favor of the gospel of Christ .*
RICHMOND. This church is located in a pleasant vil- lage in the town of Richmond, fourteen miles south of Augusta. Previous to 1833 Baptists had made no public efforts here, excepting an occasional lecture by a visiting minister. This year a few Baptists residing here raised a sufficient sum to secure one fourth of the ministry of Rev. C. Blanchard, then pastor of second Nobleboro.' This supply was continued through the winter of '34. During these efforts, Eld. L. C. Stevens established himself here as a teacher in the Academy, and preached to the people when not provided with a minister. Soon some special religious attention was gained, and a few conversions occurred. These were the preliminary movements to the organization of a church, which occurred in October of that year, with L. C. Stevens, pastor. It had but eight members, inclu- ding the pastor and his wife. It has since prospered by a gradual and annual accession to its numbers and to its strength. Mr. S. resigned in 1837. He was succeeded in the office by Rev. F. Ellis, who administered to their pro- fit from July 1839, to October 1840, and in January 1841 Mr. Stevens again became pastor, but left again in 1842. Since then they have had no pastor, but are encouraged to persevere with forty-five members.+
PATRICKTOWN PLANTATION. A church was gathered in this town in 1835. It has advanced prosperously with the few means it has enjoyed. Elders J. White, Josiah Hal- lowell, and B. Ring have done much towards its progress. It commenced with less than a dozen, it now has sixty-six members.
*Church Records. tAbial Avery, Ch. Clk, Com., and Min. L. and B. A.
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THIRD NOBLEBORO'-FIRST WEST THOMASTON. 323
WASHINGTON. A church of twelve members was re- ported to the Association, and united with it in 1835. Jo- siah Wilson, a distinguished member, and a licentiate, did much in aiding these first movements of the Baptists in this town. For several years, with some assistance by the Association, they obtained a gradual increase. The year 1843 was one of peculiar interest in their history. By a general revival their number was doubled. They now have a flourishing and influential body of seventy members. What gratitude is due to God for his wonderful grace !*
THIRD NOBLEBOROUGH. With almost unparalleled pro- gress Baptists increased in Nobleborough. In 1836 an extensive work of grace was carried forward by the Spirit of the Lord in the first church, during which the number of one hundred and fifty-one united with them by baptism. The instrumentalities employed to promote this revival, were Elders E. Trask, (pastor) and S. Flagg.
A division of the church now became expedient for the convenience of the brethren, and important for the ad- vancement of the cause. Fifty-four dismissed for that pur- pose, were constituted into a third church, and Elder S. Flagg received the pastoral charge. He was succeeded in the office the next year by Elder Daniel Whitehouse, for one year, when Eld. Flagg again resumed the pastoral res- ponsibility, and was their minister till 1842. Since then hey have preaching by Elder E. J. White one half the ime. A general prosperity has attended their movements. They have one hundred and nine members .*
FIRST WEST THOMASTON. This church originated vith a diversity of opinion in the second church, respect- ng the building and locating of a new meeting-house. The difficulty dictated a mutual separation ; one part to con- inue to occupy the old house, the other to build where they
*Min. L. A. and D. Asso.
324 DAMARISCOTTA MILLS-CUSHING-3D CAMDEN.
chose. This was in 1836. Those who were to remain in the old sanctuary, fifty-seven in number, were organized by the name of First West Thomaston.
At their invitation, Eld. D. Bartlett became their pastor in 1833, and continued in their service about two years. He was succeeded in 1840 by their present pastor, Eld. D. Small, then a student in the Thomaston Theological Insti- tution. In 1842, their members were increased by a refreshing revival. In 1841, they sustained a very great loss in the death of the devoted and enterprising Hezekiah Prince. The Association, and indeed the whole christian community might reasonably weep his departure. This people still worship in the old house ; and have fellowship with God and with each other. Their present number is one hundred and eight .*
DAMARISCOTTA MILLS. Previous to 1841, a few Bap- tists resided at these mills. By their request, Eld. Wm. Day visited them in the spring of that year, opened a series of meetings, invited neighboring ministers, and all engaged in the work of the Lord ; and the Spirit came down, con- verted sinners, and thus prepared materials for a church, which was soon organized, with thirty-eight members. It has never had a pastor, but has had stated preaching a part of the time, by Elders Wm. Day, M. Byrne, A. B. Pendle- ton, and J. W. Lawton. Their number is thirty-nine, and they feel the need of assistance.t
CUSHING. For convenience and increased effort, the old church, 'Friendship and Cushing,' was divided in 1842. The brethren in Cushing were organized, with ninety-eight in number. Eld. D. Bartlett preached during that year with both churches, bestowing on each an equal proportion of his ministry. The next year he was succeed- ed by Eld. C. P. Bartlett. In 1843, this church had ninety- seven members.į
*Ch. Rec. +J. Winslow, 2d. Com. ¿ Min. L. Asso.
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LINCOLN ASSOCIATION.
THIRD CAMDEN. A third church was gathered in Cam- den in 1842, composed mostly of members dismissed from the second church. It is situated in a growing village, and promises much usefulness. C. C. Long was ordained an evangelist in this church the next day after its organization. They have since enjoyed one-half of his labors. Their number is increased to twenty .*
THIRD ST. GEORGE. In 1842, a third church in St. George was organized with thirty members, dismissed from the first and second churches. It has been aided hitherto by one-half of the labors of Eld. J. Kalloch, and ' their prospects are reported to be encouraging.' Their number in 1843, was thirty-three .*
CHAPTER XVI.
LINCOLN ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1805. After 13 years it gave rise to Eastern Maine in 1818 ; and in 7 years more to the Penobscot in 1825; and 17 years later to the Damariscotta, in 1842.
THIS ASSOCIATION was organized at St. George, Sept 1805. It was then composed of eighteen churches ; six- teen of which had been previously dismissed from Bow- doinham, each of which were chronologically noticed in the history of that body; and two, Palermo and Sedgwick, which had never before united in such a connection. This Association embraced at that time all the territory east of the Kennebec river, and has yielded as its legitimate fruits four other Associations, Eastern Maine, Penobscot, Waldo and Damariscotta. Originally blessed with a numerous and able ministry, and subsequently with a rich bestow- ment of the same blessing, and by the continuous and
*Min. L. Asso.
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LINCOLN ASSOCIATION.
abundant spiritual influences which have attended that ministry, this Association has ever been distinguished for more than a common prosperity. The efforts of Elders Job Macomber, Elisha Snow, Jesse Martin, Nehemiah Gould, Coker Marble, Joseph Bailey, Ephraim Hall, An- drew Fuller, Jabez Lewis, Thomas Ames, John Haines, Nathaniel Robinson, and Daniel Merrill, were united with others to promote the stability and progress of this new Baptist enterprise in the State. The articles of Faith and Covenant, as revised and adopted by the Bowdoinham Association in 1802, were now received as the creed of this body. These articles have since undergone a revision, which will be noticed in another place. Missionary opera- tions were continued by these brethren, and the plan of voluntary supplies to the destitute was adopted by the ministers.
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